 Pre-1492: Evidence exists
convincing some historians that intrepid fishermen from the Basque
region between Spain and France, and also possibly from Portugal and
Brittany, being excluded from European fishing grounds, sailed west,
discovered the abundant cod fishing grounds of the Grand
Banks

 1604 - Samuel de Champlain
explores and maps coast.

 1629 - About 50 Huguenots
given permission to settle in Charlestown.